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Sunday, 14 June 2015

The Risks in Using Multiple Medications

Prescription medications can improve the
symptoms of a disorder and improve the quality of life. However, they also have
the potential to cause dangerous side effects. A good guideline followed by
physicians who prescribe medications to the elderly is to "start low and
go slow," meaning the elderly should take new medications at a slower rate
and start at about half the adult dose. As our bodies change with age, so does
the need for a different dosage, interval and duration of treatment. The longer
an individual is on a drug, the greater the likelihood of an adverse reaction.
The effects of a harmful drug reaction can appear as an isolated symptom
(drowsiness) or as a group of symptoms (depression and confusion). In the
elderly, toxic reactions can occur even at low drug dosages. Therefore, the
elderly should approach the use of prescription medication with caution and
report any unusual or new symptoms to their health care provider. It is
important to consult a health care provider before changing any prescription
medication dosage.